South Dakota (1-0) will host ninth-ranked Minnesota-Duluth (1-0) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the DakotaDome, in the second of four matchups with teams from Minnesota. The Coyotes opened with a 34-28 win over Concordia St. Paul on Sept. 6 in the Dome. Minnesota-Duluth opened with a 40-20 win over Minnesota State-Mankato on Sept. 6.

Polls

UMD is ranked No. 9 in the most recent AFCA poll (Sept. 9), No. 11 by d2football.com and No. 8 by the Football Gazette in polls released Sept. 7. South Dakota received consideration in the AFCA poll and also was tabbed No. 47 by Dopke.com, which listed UMD the No. 8 team in the country. Four NCC teams (St. Cloud State, No. 6; North Dakota, No. 19; North Dakota State, No. 20, and Nebraska-Omaha, No. 24) are ranked in the AFCA top 25. Both SDSU and the Coyotes received votes in the Sept. 9 poll.

Going Two Straight

The Coyotes will try and win their second straight game for the first time since consecutive wins midway through the 2002 season. The Coyotes defeated NDSU, 40-37 in 4 OT on Oct. 5, and edged Augustana, 16-10, in double overtime on Oct. 12 (Dakota Days). Interestingly, USD was 2-0 in televised games a year ago. The NDSU game was carried by KELO-TV and the Augie game was carried by PAX-TV. USD football will also be on TV this season when the Coyotes host South Dakota State on Hall of Fame Weekend, Oct. 25, at the DakotaDome. Gametime is 2 p.m.

Nonconference Facts

USD owns a 22-6 all-time record against the NSIC. Against Minnesota schools, USD has a 31-38 mark. Since head coach John Austin came to South Dakota in 1999, USD owns a 7-4 record in nonconference games. During that span, USD is 3-3 at home. Since 1974 (320 games), USD has a 37-23 record vs. nonconference opponents, including a 26-15 mark at home. The last time the Coyotes shut out a nonconference opponent came in the season opener against Northern State, 59-0. The last time USD was shut out in a nonconference game came in game two of the 1992 season at South Dakota State, 13-0.

The Series

In the overall series, South Dakota is 0-2 vs. Minnesota-Duluth. The Coyotes dropped a 23-21 decision to the Bulldogs a year ago and lost, 14-10, in 2001 at Duluth.

This and That During Austin Era

This is the third time in Austin's five-year tenure that USD has opened the season 1-0. In 2000, USD opened with a 17-13 win at Missouri Western. In 2001, the Coyotes defeated Winona State, 44-21, in a game played at Yankton. And, this season, the Coyotes bested Concordia St. Paul, 34-28.

Other Notes During Austin Tenure

Last Shutout - St. Cloud State, 37-0, 2000 Last time shut out by opponent -- North Dakota, 20-0, 2002 In overtime games during Austin era -- 2-0 In games on TV -- 2-0 Most Points Scored in a Game -- 44-21 win over Winona State at Yankton, S.D., 2001 Most Points Allowed in a Game -- 54-23 loss to Nebraska-Omaha, 1999

At the DakotaDome

South Dakota owns a 88-49 (.641) all-time record at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes defeated St. Thomas (Minn.), 22-6, in the first collegiate game played at the DakotaDome in 1979. USD had a 130-83-8 mark at Inman Stadium from 1924 to 1979 before moving into the Dome. USD defeated Yankton, 19-0, in the first game played (Sept. 27, 1924) at Inman Stadium. Coyotes Broadcasts

University of South Dakota football will be heard on ESPN Radio 1570 AM Vermillion/Yankton, S.D. The Voice of the Coyotes, Kevin Culhane, will provide the play-by-play. Veteran broadcaster Joe Van Goor and former Yankton Bucs coach Max Hawk will provide commentary. A pre-game show will air 60 minutes prior to gametime. Lane Grindle will handle sideline and post-game reporting duties. The game is also available on the Internet at www.usdcoyotes.com and on Teamline at 1-800-846-4700 (team code - 6056).

Captains Named

At the end of spring practice, four Coyotes earned the honor of being named team captain. They included junior wide receiver Chris Mikkelsen of Gregory, S.D.; senior offensive tacke Tom Moore of Centerville, S.D.; senior linebacker Josh Gassen of Rapid City, S.D.; and senior defense tackle Aaron Dietrich of Emmetsburg, Iowa.

Last Time

A year ago, UMD defeated South Dakota, 23-21, at the DakotaDome in week two of the 2002 season. The Bulldogs took a 10-0 lead before USD answered with a TD to cut the lead to 10-7. After a UMD field goal, the Coyotes added a score just before halftime when Matt Taylor hauled in a seven-yard scoring toss from Sean McLaughlin. UMD responded with 10 straight points before the Coyotes scored in the fourth quarter (McLaughlin to Aaron Meline 25-yard score) to cut the lead to 23-21.

Last Week

South Dakota 34, Concordia-St. Paul 28

South Dakota rallied from a third-quarter deficit and scored 10 fourth quarter points in a 34-28 win over Concordia-St. Paul on Sept. 6 at the DakotaDome. CSP led 7-0, 14-10, 21-17 and 28-24, but each time South Dakota rallied. Freshman running back Stefan Logan scored on a 15-yard touchdown run with 14:53 to play in the fourth quarter. Then Cody Butler's second field goal of the game, a 44-yarder with 10:34 to play, added insurance as USD held off the explosive Golden Bears. The Coyotes had 328 yards in total offense, including 203 yards through the air. Sophomore quarterback Wesley Beschorner, making his first career start, had nine rushes for 30 yards and completed 12-of-18 passes for 203 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Logan had 79 yards receiving on three receptions and 47 yards rushing on eight carries. Senior captain Chris Mickelsen had 38 yards receiving and a touchdown and senior wideout Chris Meehan had 43 yards receiving a touchdown. USD also received a 25-yard touchdown interception return by Aaron Dietrich, a senior captain. For CSP, James McNear threw for 312 yards (22-31-2 tds-2 int.) and Chris Washington had 107 yards rushing on 18 carries and a touchdown.

UMD 40, Minnesota State-Mankato 20

Minnesota-Duluth scored 26 points in the second quarter and cruised to a 40-20 win over Minnesota State-Mankato on Sept. 6 in Mankato, Minn. The Bulldogs received two touchdown passes from Erik Anderson, who had 255 yards passing. MSU-Mankato opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal by Ryan Caperoon's but the Bulldogs answered when Cash Langeness returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a score. MSU quarterback Ben King had two TD passes but threw four interceptions. UMD led 33-6 at halftime. UMD All-American receiver Tim Battaglia had 102 yards receiving including, a 66-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

Dietrich Scores First Career TD; First Defensive Score Since 2001 Season

Senior captain and defensive tackle Aaron Dietrich of Emmetsburg, Iowa, scored on a 25-yard interception return vs. Concordia-St. Paul on Sept. 6. The interception was the second of his career, but his first defensive touchdown. It was the last defensive touchdown by the Coyotes since the 2001 season. In week six of the 2001 season, linebacker Josh Gassen had a 19-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 25-7 loss to Augustana at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, S.D. USD had a total of three defensive scores that season, including an 88-yard interception return for a touchdown by Korey Ebel in a 14-10 setback to Minnesota-Duluth (Ricky Fritz) in week 2 (Sept. 8) at Duluth, Minn. Ebel's play set a school record until week 3 (Sept. 15) when James Augustus had an 89-yard touchdown return for a score vs. St. Cloud State and All-American quarterback Keith Heckendorf at Selke Field in St. Cloud, Minn.

Beschorner, Logan Have Solid Debuts

Sophomore quarterback Wesley Beschorner of Lohrville, Iowa and freshman halfback Stefan Logan of Miami, Fla., had solid debuts as the Coyotes defeated Concordia-St. Paul, 34-28, on Sept. 6. Beschorner, who was a reserve wide receiver and punt return specialist a year ago, completed 12-of-18 passes for 203 yards with two touchdowns. He also rushed nine times for 30 yards. Logan displayed his speed and elusiveness in a solid performance last weekend. He had eight rushes for 47 yards and a 15-yard fourth quarter touchdown that gave USD the lead for good vs. CSP. Logan also had 79 yards receiving on three receptions. Team Awards vs. Concordia-St. Paul

Offensive MVP -- Wesley Beschorner Offensive Hustle -- Tom Moore, Chris Meehan, Rob Cupich Offensive Big Plays -- Stefan Logan, Chris Mikkelsen, Meehan, Nick Cunningham, Beschorner, Anthony Tharrington Defensive MVP -- Aaron Dietrich Defensive Honorable Mention MVP -- Garrett Hartwig Defensive Hustle -- Tim Schellhammer, Josh Gassen, Nick Boyd Defensive Big Plays -- Dietrich, Hartwig, Schellhammer, David Bents, Drew Barns and Steve Schermerhorn Special Teams MVP -- Jarrod Edelen, Cody Butler, and Tyson Goehring Special Teams Honorable Mention MVP -- Joe Hnath Special Teams Big Plays -- Edelen, Butler, Hnath, Todd Bladt, Tim Triplett, Hartwig, Jordan Davis, Beschorner, Goehring, Meehan Scout Team: Offense -- Paul Brown Scout Team: Defense -- Dwight Anderson

Coach Austin in Fifth Year

Coach John Austin is in his fifth year at South Dakota. He has compiled a 18-26 record, including a 12-22 mark in the NCC. A year ago the Coyotes were 3-8, including 2-6 in the NCC (eighth). In 2001, USD went 2-8, 1-7 in the NCC). Austin led USD to an 8-3 mark in 2000, barely missing the playoffs. At the end of that season, USD was riding a four-game winning streak and was one of the league's hottest teams. In his first year, the coach directed USD to a 4-7 record, 3-6 in the NCC. Austin, a native of Watertown, S.D., is a 1980 graduate of USD. He was honorable mention all-NCC at South Dakota in 1979 when he was a captain for the Coyotes. Austin, who owns a master's degree in athletic administration from the University of Iowa in 1992, spent nine years at Iowa, working for the legendary coach Hayden Fry. Austin was Iowa's defensive line coach and also served as recruiting coordinator and assistant offensive line coach. He and his wife Jill have three daughters, Kelsie, Samantha and Erin.

Mikkelsen Moves Into 7th Place on Career Receiving Yards Chart; Eighth in Receptions

Junior wide receiver Chris Mikkelsen is now tied with Roger Larson (1967-68) for eighth on the career receiving chart with 69 receptions. He needs two receptions to pass Tom O'Boyle (1978-81) in seventh place. In terms of receiving yards

USD Team Notes

After one week, USD is ranked among the NCC leaders in several categories. The Coyotes are third in scoring at 34.0 points per game; fourth in kickoff returns at 21.5 per return; first in punting at 44.7 per game; fourth in rushing defense at 140.0 yards per game; fourth in punt returns at 10.7 per return; third in pass efficiency at 175.8 and fourth in turnover margin at 1.0. USD is second in field goals with two and tied for first in PAT kicking, 4-4. The Coyotes are third in fourth down conversions, converting their only attempt.

Player Notes

#23 Junior kicker Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.) leads the NCC in field goal percentage, 2-2, 1.000; and field goals back, 2.0 per game. He scored 10 points in the 34-28 win over Concordia-St. Paul, knocking home 22-yard and 44-yard field goals. He also made all four of his PAT attempts. In his career, Butler now has made 13-of-20 field goals and 24-of-26 extra points. He has also converted seven-of-eight field goal attempts between 40 and 49 yards during his career.

#33 Senior Punter Jarrod Edelen (Vermillion, S.D.) has opened the season with a bang. An Academic All-American and first team All-NCC in 2002, Edelen averaged 44.7 yards per punt in last weekend's win in the season opener at the Dome. Edelen, who placed two of his three punts inside the 20-yard line, came up big in the fourth quarter when he pinned Concordia St. Paul deep in their own territory with a 48-yard boot (inside the three yard line) with under 5 minutes to play. Edelen had three punts for 134 yards. In his career, he is averaging 41.6 yards per punt. In his career, he has made 65 punts for 2,703 yards.

#6 Senior Wide Receiver Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) had three catches for 38 yards and a 12-yard touchdown reception in the week one win. Mikkelsen, a team captain, now has six career touchdowns to go with 69 career receptions and 1,123 receiving yards. He is seventh in career receiving yards and eight in career receptions at South Dakota. Mikkelsen has played in 20-of-21 games at USD and has 20 starts.

#43 Senior Linebacker Josh Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.) had a team-high nine tackles, including seven solo stops, last weekend in the win over Concordia St. Paul. Gassen now has 109 solo stops and 85 assisted tackles or 194 overall stops in his career. He has two career interceptions, nine quarterback sacks and 25 tackles for loss at USD.

#84 Junior Defensive End Tim Schellhammer(Chatfield, Minn.) had seven tackles (five solo), two tackles for loss and a forced fumble in the win over Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, Sept. 6. In his career, Schellhammer now has 37 unassisted, 31 assisted and 70 total tackles at South Dakota. He also has three forced fumbles, 12.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks in his career.

#14 Junior Strong Safety Garrett Hartwig (Pinedale, Wyo.) had five tackles (three solo) and a key interception against Concordia-St. Paul. USD had two interceptions against the Golden Bears.

#24 Senior Wide Receiver Chris Meehan(Hartford, S.D.) had a team-high four receptions for 43 yards and a five-yard touchdown reception. Meehan's score provide USD with a 17-14 lead with 53 seconds left in the first half against Concordia-St. Paul.

USD-UMD Connection - Asst. Coach Jim Malosky

Current South Dakota quarterbacks and receivers coach Jim Malosky has connections to Minnesota-Duluth, the Coyotes' week 2 opponent. Malosky worked at UMD from 1988-99, working his way up from student assistant coach to interim co-head coach in 1999 (4-7 record). From 1993 to 1999, Malosky was offensive coordinator at the school. He was a four-year letter winner in football for the Bulldogs, twice earning all-conference honors. A team captain as a senior, he was a part of three conference championship teams. As UMD, he completed 212 passes on 455 attempts for 2,866 yards and 41 touchdowns during 1984-87. Malosky, who earned a bachelor of applied arts degree from UMD, had 1,770 yards in total offense as a senior in 1987. He also ran for 397 yards and passes for 1,373 while tossing 27 TD passes. His father, Jim, was a long-time coach for the Bulldogs (1958-97).

Academics

It is a well-fashioned tradition that student athletes at South Dakota excel in the classroom and on the field of play. In 2002, the Coyotes had six student-athletes named Academic All-NCC. Since the NCC established the all-academic squad, 89 Coyotes have been selected. South Dakota has had at least one academic All-NCC performer since the program was started in 1976. Edelen, Mikkelsen and Bents are returning players that earned league academic honors a year ago. Edelen was also named an Academic All-American.

On Minnesota-Duluth - Coach Bob Nielson

A 1982 graduate of Wartburg College, Bob Nielson was the 2002 NSIC Coach of the Year. In his fifth year with the Bulldogs, he has a 31-16 record. Nielson joined UMD after guiding Wisconsin-Eau Claire to a 22-11 record in three seasons. Overall, he is 101-49-1. He also coached at Wartburg. On Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 10, Nielsen was named the athletic director at Minnesota-Duluth.

Bulldog Notes

With the 40-20 win over Minnesota State-Mankato on Saturday, UMD improved to 31-6-0 in their last 37 season openers. The Bulldogs have now won seven straight games vs. NCC opponents. The Bulldogs, who are unbeaten in the regular season since the 2001 season, received a 90-yard kickoff return for a score against MSU-Mankato by Cash Langeness, the fourth of his career. All-American receiver Tim Battaglia extended his reception string to 36 games. Adam Skinner was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week while cornerback Cash Langeness was selected the league's Special Teams Player of the Week. Skinner had 10 tackles, broke up three passes and picked off a pass. Langeness returned two kickoffs for 106 yards and a touchdown and had four punt returns for 16 yards. Senior defensive tackle Thomas Cole and junior fullback Pat Kelly, starters in game 1, will not play this weekend. Cole has an injured foot while Kelly is out with an ankle injury. The Bulldogs have a history of getting off to a good start. The No. 9 ranking in the AFCA poll is the Bulldog's highest ranking ever. Both the 1980 and 1981 teams also were ranked No. 9 in the NCAA Division II poll. UMD tied a tean single-season mark with eight quarterback sacks in the win over Minnesota State-Mankato last weekend. UMD has posted 12 straight regular season wins since losing to Winona State 33-30 on Nov. 10, 2001. Senior right cornerback Cash Langeness made his 37th straight start last weekend. UMD has a record of 374-226-24 for a .619 winning percentage in 71-years of football. It is the 13th best mark among NCAA Division II schools. They will open their NSIC season on Sept. 20 when they host Southwest Minnesota State. UMD has won 13 straight games at their home - Griggs Field.

Media Poll Tabs USD 7th

In a North Central Conference presseason poll, South Dakota was picked to finish seventh, ahead of Minnesota State, Mankato, which opened the season with a 12-10 loss to Bemidji State. St. Cloud State, which tied Northern Colorado atop the NCC standings last year with 6-2 marks, was the media favorite, garnering 18-of-19 first place ballots. The Huskies are ranked No. 8 in the AFCA Coaches Preseason Poll. Nebraska-Omaha was picked to finish second with North Dakota, third; Augustana, fourth; North Dakota State, fifth; and South Dakota State, sixth.

UMD Picked to Win NSIC

In a NSIC preseason poll, Minnesota-Duluth was picked by coaches to win the league title. They picked up six of nine first-place ballots. Winona State (2-0) received the other three first place votes.

Coyotes in the NFL

Three former Coyotes have earned spots on NFL rosters. Former linebacker Josh Stamer has made the Buffalo Bills roster as a linebacker. Jamel White is a key reserve running back for the Cleveland Browns, while linebacker Matt Chatham is a member of the New England Patriots. In week one, White had seven rushing yards and 19 yards receiving. Interestingly, two Coyotes faced each other in the New England and Buffalo matchup. Chatham and Stamer each recorded a tackle in the Bill's 31-0 win over the Patriots.

How about some History? Remember 1912?

Few people probably remember that in 1912, USD's Earl Meeter gained post-season honors on the Chicago Post All-Western Team. Meeter starred as a freshman for one of South Dakota's most successful teams. With Rev. James Henderson as head coach, the Coyotes were 7-1 in 1911 and 5-1 in 1912. The Coyotes only loss in the 1912 season was a 7-6 setback to Michigan. In 1912, the Coyotes defetaed the University of Minnesota, 10-0. That team is legendary and ranks as one of the best ever. They defeated South Dakota State University, 73-6; University of North Dakota, 44-0; Creighton, 68-0 and Nebraska-Wesleyan, 39-0. Other players of note in that era included halfback and dropkicker Paul Sheeks and halfback Eugene Vidal (fathor of author Gore Vidal), who later attained All-America honors at West Point. Vidal, who later served in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Administration, also won a medal in the Olympics at Antwerp, Belgium, and played for two NFL teams, the New York Giants and Washington Redskins. Ray Brooks, T.R. Johnson, Grover Potts and Sheeks along with Vidal are all members of the Coyote Sports Hall of Fame. Brooks, Potts, Johnson and Sheeks played on the 1911 and 1912 teams.